Tag: AXN India

AXN India will premiere the Golden Globe award winning show – The Handmaid’s Tale

MUMBAI: AXN India will bring the best drama show of 2017 – The Handmaid’s Tale, for its viewers from February 5, every Monday at 10:00 PM. Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel, the show emerged as a winner with contenders like Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, This is Us, amongst others.

The show is not available on any OTT platform and AXN will be the first to bring this much-awaited show to its Indian viewers. The show has already won 8 Emmy awards and 2 Golden Globe award, for Best TV Series in the Drama category and for Best Actress in a Drama Series for actress Elisabeth Moss. It also has a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.6 rating on IMDB, making it a must watch show.

The dystopian series is a tale of tyranny, a taut thriller and a heart-wrenching drama, packed with incredible female performances. The show is set in a nightmare world called Gilead, where consensual sex is an illusion and gender a cruel hierarchy, where women are forbidden to hold jobs, own property or even read and who exist solely to conceive and bear children.

January 9, 2018
AXN India to take viewers on twisted criminal ride with all seasons of ‘Dexter’

MUMBAI: A forensic technician by day and a serial killer by night. He analyses blood splash pattern during the day and hunts down criminals who go unnoticed by justice system at night. He is Dexter you will love in the day and Dexter you will fear at night.

AXN India is all set to celebrate 10 years of Dexter by airing all seasons of this psychological thriller starting 26 December every Monday to Friday at 9 pm.

Dexter was nominated 4 consecutive times for ‘Outstanding Drama Series’ at Primetime Emmy Awards as well as for ‘Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series’ 5 times in a row. It has also won 2 Golden Globe Awards out of 9 nominations, making it one of the most acclaimed and followed series of all times.

Michael C. Hall, who plays the protagonist Dexter Morgan in the show, shot to fame as the most loved serial killer globally. He said, “These 10 years have been amazing! In the first season it was so awkward and intense. We were doing something that hadn’t quite been done and by then people didn’t root for a serial killer. Playing the part, I appreciated how much fans were in Dexter’s corner. It’s a real trick because the story is subjectively told and you are always in his head. You are sort of a silent accomplice.”

December 23, 2016
AXN India to take viewers on twisted criminal ride with all seasons of ‘Dexter’

MUMBAI: A forensic technician by day and a serial killer by night. He analyses blood splash pattern during the day and hunts down criminals who go unnoticed by justice system at night. He is Dexter you will love in the day and Dexter you will fear at night.

AXN India is all set to celebrate 10 years of Dexter by airing all seasons of this psychological thriller starting 26 December every Monday to Friday at 9 pm.

Dexter was nominated 4 consecutive times for ‘Outstanding Drama Series’ at Primetime Emmy Awards as well as for ‘Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series’ 5 times in a row. It has also won 2 Golden Globe Awards out of 9 nominations, making it one of the most acclaimed and followed series of all times.

Michael C. Hall, who plays the protagonist Dexter Morgan in the show, shot to fame as the most loved serial killer globally. He said, “These 10 years have been amazing! In the first season it was so awkward and intense. We were doing something that hadn’t quite been done and by then people didn’t root for a serial killer. Playing the part, I appreciated how much fans were in Dexter’s corner. It’s a real trick because the story is subjectively told and you are always in his head. You are sort of a silent accomplice.”

December 23, 2016
Sony Picture Networks India rebrands AXN

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) India’s english entertainment channel AXN, known for its action heavy shows, has been re-branded to give it a more edgier look.

The changes include a new logo, packaging and tag line. Playing on their original palate of red, the channel urges viewers to live ‘R.E.D,’ which stands for Reality, Entertainment and Drama.

The channel, which is home to some of the most iconic characters, hopes to increase its viewership with this re-branding exercise.

The change will come into effect from 24 January, 2016 with the premiere of the drama series Billions, which will be aired at 11 pm every Sunday.

The re-branding was undertaken by Leo Burnett India.

“With the new logo, we want to cater to the young evolving mindsets. It’s time the brand goes to the next level with a more contemporary positioning and a fresh, new look, to appeal to the discerning audience segments, who seek intelligent action. More than just an adrenaline rush, they seek a mind rush while watching their favourite shows and characters. To cater to this mind-set, we have re-calibrated our positioning, brought alive through LIVE R.E.D. for the entire brand universe in a seamless manner,” says SPN India executive vice president and business head – English entertainment cluster Saurabh Yagnik.

With this transformation, AXN seeks to diversify its portfolio away from its action genre by airing ‘intelligent’ action shows with more intense, smart and unexpected characters.

The channel has retained its trademark representation with the colour red. He further adds, “Red because it leverages to bring alive what AXN as a brand stands for. The channel’s new look and feel showcases the content diversity of the channel, builds association with shows and characters and articulates what consumer gratification is. It is the channel, product and consumers’ truth that we have brought alive.”

The new logo is accentuated by a 3-D pyramid with elements of mystery and convergence and will bring alive the channel’s diverse content offering Reality, Entertainment, Drama, and the consumer gratification of Rush, Excitement, Dream through its characters and shows.

AXN’s content offering includes a mixture of reality shows like The Voice, Top Gear, Fear Factor, entertainment shows like Minute to Win, and dramatic shows like Sherlock, Hannibal, Ray Donovan, Billions, Elementary and Dexter, amongst others.

As of now, the channel has no plans to change or tweak its content strategy, though it will keep bringing new American shows. The channel will continue to cater to the premium target audience in India.

AXN seeks to cater to both types of consumers that exist in society: the influencer as well as the adopter. While the former includes tech-savvy people who want to watch shows with the US, the latter are not very active in the space and seek help from the influencer about which shows to watch. “The adopters are adopting and soaking into the genre. We want to bridge this gap between both the viewers’ cluster. We bring shows, which serves both of them,” asserts Yagnik.

The channel claims to have a market share of 28 per cent in the entire English entertainment genre and has set a task to build shows and characters associations with the channel.

AXN’s new look will roll out across the channel’s on-air and online platforms as well on various social media platforms.

Speaking about the imminent competition from the American OTT platform Netflix’s entry into India, Yagnik says, “It is good to have global competition in the space. It’s a good opportunity. The fact remains that all the networks have many hours of content – local as well as international. Everything that enters the market has its own plusses and minuses when it comes to content consumption. Ultimately it’s going to benefit the consumers.”

This new push towards evoking emotions as well as gaining viewers through gripping and diverse content strategy is what the edgy channel plans to do in 2016. The aim will also be to retain its position in the market by coming up with more credible and buzzy shows.

“With the rise in the Hollywood shows consumption in India, AXN will continue to get up to date shows for our fresh from the US slot,” concludes Yagnik.

January 21, 2016
Sony Picture Networks India rebrands AXN

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) India’s english entertainment channel AXN, known for its action heavy shows, has been re-branded to give it a more edgier look.

The changes include a new logo, packaging and tag line. Playing on their original palate of red, the channel urges viewers to live ‘R.E.D,’ which stands for Reality, Entertainment and Drama.

The channel, which is home to some of the most iconic characters, hopes to increase its viewership with this re-branding exercise.

The change will come into effect from 24 January, 2016 with the premiere of the drama series Billions, which will be aired at 11 pm every Sunday.

The re-branding was undertaken by Leo Burnett India.

“With the new logo, we want to cater to the young evolving mindsets. It’s time the brand goes to the next level with a more contemporary positioning and a fresh, new look, to appeal to the discerning audience segments, who seek intelligent action. More than just an adrenaline rush, they seek a mind rush while watching their favourite shows and characters. To cater to this mind-set, we have re-calibrated our positioning, brought alive through LIVE R.E.D. for the entire brand universe in a seamless manner,” says SPN India executive vice president and business head – English entertainment cluster Saurabh Yagnik.

With this transformation, AXN seeks to diversify its portfolio away from its action genre by airing ‘intelligent’ action shows with more intense, smart and unexpected characters.

The channel has retained its trademark representation with the colour red. He further adds, “Red because it leverages to bring alive what AXN as a brand stands for. The channel’s new look and feel showcases the content diversity of the channel, builds association with shows and characters and articulates what consumer gratification is. It is the channel, product and consumers’ truth that we have brought alive.”

The new logo is accentuated by a 3-D pyramid with elements of mystery and convergence and will bring alive the channel’s diverse content offering Reality, Entertainment, Drama, and the consumer gratification of Rush, Excitement, Dream through its characters and shows.

AXN’s content offering includes a mixture of reality shows like The Voice, Top Gear, Fear Factor, entertainment shows like Minute to Win, and dramatic shows like Sherlock, Hannibal, Ray Donovan, Billions, Elementary and Dexter, amongst others.

As of now, the channel has no plans to change or tweak its content strategy, though it will keep bringing new American shows. The channel will continue to cater to the premium target audience in India.

AXN seeks to cater to both types of consumers that exist in society: the influencer as well as the adopter. While the former includes tech-savvy people who want to watch shows with the US, the latter are not very active in the space and seek help from the influencer about which shows to watch. “The adopters are adopting and soaking into the genre. We want to bridge this gap between both the viewers’ cluster. We bring shows, which serves both of them,” asserts Yagnik.

The channel claims to have a market share of 28 per cent in the entire English entertainment genre and has set a task to build shows and characters associations with the channel.

AXN’s new look will roll out across the channel’s on-air and online platforms as well on various social media platforms.

Speaking about the imminent competition from the American OTT platform Netflix’s entry into India, Yagnik says, “It is good to have global competition in the space. It’s a good opportunity. The fact remains that all the networks have many hours of content – local as well as international. Everything that enters the market has its own plusses and minuses when it comes to content consumption. Ultimately it’s going to benefit the consumers.”

This new push towards evoking emotions as well as gaining viewers through gripping and diverse content strategy is what the edgy channel plans to do in 2016. The aim will also be to retain its position in the market by coming up with more credible and buzzy shows.

“With the rise in the Hollywood shows consumption in India, AXN will continue to get up to date shows for our fresh from the US slot,” concludes Yagnik.

January 21, 2016
AXN India associates with social to expand its consumer connect with ‘Californication’

MUMBAI: It’s time to groove with AXN for a Californication time, at a destination of wild fun. AXN, India’s destination for thrilling English entertainment, has joined hands with the happening party hotspot –Social as a Hangout Partner, to promote the American comedy-drama television series ‘Californication’. Celebration is on at the 5 outlets of Social across Delhi, Mumbai & Bangalore incorporating the theme ‘Californication’ and the principal character Hank Moody.

The character, Hank Moody is known for being carefree and a complete party animal. Carrying forward his typical traits, ‘Social’ will incorporate his characteristics with promos of his lifestyle playing in their outlets and also contests on social media. Winners will also stand a chance to win some exclusive Moody-merchandise from AXN.

The show has a perfect brand fit with the outlet. The party goer’s life resonates with Hank Moody’s lifestyle and hence Social was the apt hotspot for this association with AXN.

So head to Social all this month to enjoy and live it up Hank Moody style!

Catch Californication every Monday to Friday at 11pm only on AXN.

After gaining in popularity among its consumers, Social has come up with another branch in Palladium, Lower Parel. With its raw interiors and impeccable menu Social’s became the next hangout place in the city. And now coming out with their third outlet, it gives their consumers a bigger and also an exciting menu to offer.

October 7, 2015
TV channels unleash slew of special programming for Independence Day

The entire nation will be waiting to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech from the historic Red Fort. The country paralysed by deadlock in the Parliament due to constant protest from opposition, will be desperately listening to the PM’s verses via different news channels, radio and other mediums.

While ‘One Rank One Pension’ is already trending on social media, various gallantry awards are also scheduled to be distributed, this Independence Day.

The Independence Day celebrations will not just be restricted to the political class as numerous channels are set to roll out special programming for their viewers. The programming mix on the occasion of India’s 69th Independence Day across television channels of various genres is as follows:

English News Channels

ET Now

The ET Now special coverage will have half an hour interview with Godrej Industries chairman Adi Godrej. Sandeep Gurumurthi will interview Godrej at 5.30 pm on 15 August. The channel will also relay Prime Minister’s speech in the morning. Live panel discussion on Modi’s ideas with panelists and big voices from the corporate world will also be in the list of special programming of Independence Day from 12 – 12.30 pm and 9 – 10 pm.

India Today Television

Women are going to be at the forefront of India Today Television’s Independence day programming, with topics like ‘Are women as independent as men?’ ‘Chak De Girls – On the Indian Women’s Hockey Team’ and Rajdeep Sardesai with the ‘Unsung Heroes’.

In addition, the channel will also be airing ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told – 40 Years Of Sholay’, ‘I Am Sania’ – Sania Special Context – Getting The Khel Ratna as well as Sumitra Mahajan’s interview with Karan Thapar.

Times Now

Times Nows’ Independence Day coverage will begin with the live coverage of Modi’s speech followed by a special one hour independence day show of TotaI Recall. Stories and vignettes from across India on how Independence day was celebrated will be aired through the day.

English Entertainment & Movies

AXN India

This Independence Day, Jack Bauer will battle and abolish crime with the iconic television series 24 Live Another Day on 15 – 16 August from 12 – 5 pm on AXN India.

Disney

Disney will be bringing in two beloved characters, Captain Tiao and Nikki (from Best of Luck Nikki) to share the meaning of Independence Day and showcase how will they be spending the day this year.

HBO Defined

HBO Defined gears up to celebrate the I-Day weekend with a line-up of movies, which will be 100 per cent ad-free. Beginning 15 August, 10 am onwards, the channel will showcaseThe Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Ender’s Game, Noah, I, Frankenstein, Gravity andNow You See Me.

“We invite our audience to celebrate the spirit of freedom with their favorite movies on HBO Premium channel, HBO Defined, this Independence Day by not just offering exceptional titles but also presenting them with a completely memorable uninterrupted viewing experience,” said HBO marketing and business development director Shonali Bedi.

Movies Now

The channel will air a day long salute to the bravery with stories of ordinary people who display extraordinary courage to break free from constraints imposed them. The lineup features tittles like Avatar, Life of Pi, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2 and The Dark Knight Rises.

MN+

MN+ will give viewers an in-depth look into the story that shook the world. The line-up features two back to back movies on whistleblower Julian Assange.

Underground: The Julian Assange Story and Steal Secrets: The story of Wikileaks will feature on MN+ as special programming for Independence Day.

Speaking on the programming, Times Network English Entertainment cluster SVP and head Vivek Srivastava said, “For this Independence Day, our theme is saluting and celebrating bravery and the indomitable human spirit. We have stories of ordinary people who display extraordinary courage to break free from constraints imposed on them. On Movies Now, we are screening ‘Fight for Freedom’ from 9 am onwards.”

“Under classifiled section, we will air the popular film – Underground: The Julian Assange Story followed by We Steal Secrets, the story of Wikileaks on MN+. The story emerges the details how a hacker transformed himself to a world saving whistleblower against the worldwide socio-economic and socio-political injustice. It is about freedom of press, speech and rights. By screening these films, we at MN+ and Movies Now want to celebrate the spirit of humanism and the eternal will of our race to stand upright,” he added.

Sony Pix

Exciting series of Indiana Jones based on adventures and mystery of Dr. Henry ‘Indiana’ Jones, a fictional archaeologist by none other than the legendary George Lucas will be Sony Pix’s offering for Indians on Independence Day.

The programming will start with the search for the Ark of the Covenant in the movie The Raiders of the Lost Ark, which will be aired at 11 am. Indiana Jones will take viewers on his classic trilogy ride with The Last Crusade at 1.30 pm, followed by The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull at 4.30 pm.

Star Movies Select HD

Star Movies Select HD – the channel, which has committed to showcasing fresh stories every day of the year, will premier Wes Anderson’s cinematic masterpiece, The Grand Budapest Hotel on the occasion of India’s 69th Independence day. The channel will premier the movie at 9 pm on 15 August.

VH1

This 15 August at 9 am and 10 pm, Vh1 will liberate viewers from the shackles of doubt with Vh1 Artist Select: Independence Day Special. Indian artists will reveal what’s playing on their playlist. From knowing that the B.L.O.T boys love hip hop and to knowing what Dualist Inquiry listens to on their playlist, the channel will give viewers complete dope on Indian artists’ favorite tunes.

Hindi Entertainment & Movies

&TV

For Independence Day, &TV will air four special promos through the day. In addition to that, a special end page carrying Independence Day wishes has been created across all promos on air on 15 August. The logo will also carry Independence Day wishes through the day.

Colors

On 15 August at 8:30 pm, actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui will be seen promoting his upcoming film Manjhi on Colors’ show Udaan. He will be seen partaking in the flag-hoisting ceremony and deliver a speech on inspiration and hope leading to freedom.

Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Reloaded at 9 pm will have a special Independence Day show with the contestants showcasing performances themed around independence and freedom. Most contestants have designed their performances around Indian dance forms.

Epic

The Epic Channel is all set to celebrate the spirit of patriotism this Independence Day by airing back-to-back episodes from the recently launched show Stories by Rabindranath Tagore directed by Anurag Basu. The Independence Day special on 15 August will be aired from 12 – 9 pm.

Sony

Sony Entertainment Television will premiere the blockbuster Piku starring Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan at 8 pm. The movie will be followed by a special episode of the show Crime Patrol.

Sony Max & Max 2

The combination of Sony Max and Max 2 brings to its viewers a formidable line-up of patriotic movies on the occasion of Independence Day. With movies such as Indian, Chak! De India, Purab Aur Paschim and Kranti, viewers will be privy to an entire day of enjoyable movie watching experience.

Max and Max 2 senior executive vice president and business head Neeraj Vyas said, “To commemorate the nation’s independence, we thought of showcasing films on both channels that are evocative of the struggle and triumph of victory in different realms of life and through different eras. With our endeavour to constantly provide our viewers with the best films, we hope to arouse a feeling of patriotism with an engrossing bouquet of films on both channels.”

Note: The channels are listed in Alphabetical order.

August 14, 2015
AXN welcomes crime fighters this November

MUMBAI: This November, AXN has introduced two popular shows, Blue Bloods and Elementary. The channel is bringing one of America’s top 10 drama series Blue Bloods to India from 24 November at 9 pm from Monday to Thursday and the latest season of Elementary with Sherlock who is promising to thrill viewers with his incredible deduction crime solving techniques every Friday from 7 November at 10 pm which is closer to US airings.

Elementary offers a fresh take on the famous British detective Sherlock Holmes, who is now living in New York after drug rehabilitation played by Jonny Lee Miller, the star from the film Trainspotting. Lucy Liu of Charlie’s Angels fame plays the character of Dr. Watson. After the death of her patient in London, Dr. Watson’s license is revoked and she is forced to accompany Sherlock to New York as a sober companion by detective’s rich father. Elementary season three, promises to bring some fresh twists and turns as Sherlock Holmes gets a new apprentice and Joan Watson has a new boyfriend.

The saying a family that eats together, stays together could not be more accurate for ‘Blue Bloods’ Reagan family. The three legendary generations of Irish American family, has been serving under American judiciary system on different positions as police officers and acclaimed attorney. Though each one of them have a different style of achieving justice, unanimous integrity is what brings them together and also pulls them apart at the same time. The tight-knit family drama has won BMI TV Award 2013 and Prism Award 2014 and will air every Monday to Thursday at 9pm from 24 November.

Commenting on the same, Sony Pix and AXN India executive vice president Saurabh Yagnik said “This season, Elementary will get more gripping than ever before and we hope to get a bigger and better response from our viewers. As for Blue Bloods, it is an entertaining family drama and we hope to expand our viewer base with the innovative content that the show has to offer. Though the show is in its fifth season in US, we are giving our audiences an opportunity to watch Tom Selleck return to TV as the patriarch of a clan where crime fighting is the family business from the very first season”.

Watch Blue Bloods starting 24 November, Monday to Thursday at 9 pm and the latest season of Elementary premiering on 7 November, every Friday at 10 pm

October 31, 2014
‘Teen Wolf’ returns on AXN

MUMBAI: Get ready to howl, ‘Teen Wolf’ fans, because we’ve got a new breed of evil poised to strike and it’s safe to say it will have you counting down the days until the season four premiere on Friday, 27 June on AXN India.

It’s time to kill the anticipation of the mystic revulsion series of ‘Teen Wolf’ created with the nail biting finale last season. Referring to the tragic ending of season three and the anticipated triumphant return, season four of Teen Wolf is titled as “Can’t Go Back”.

As we head in to season four, the very dark nature of this canny, engaging, addicting show will lighten up but only a little. The premiere Season, The Dark Moon, shot outside of Beacon Hills, begins in Mexico reflecting the time in the lunar phase in which the moon is the least visible in the sky and it’s often thought of a time of reflection and grief.

This season, still healing from tragic losses, Scott (Tyler Posy), Stiles (Dylan O’Brien) & Lydia (Holland Roden) return to a new semester of school with more human worries than supernatural, while also trying to help their new friend, Malia (Shelly Henning), integrate back into society. But a surprising resurrection brings a new threat to Beacon Hills along with the emergence of another mysterious enemy known simply as The Benefactor.

The eye brow raising opening sequence, based in Mexico, will take the “Teen Wolf” gang to a new direction. The storyline notches up to a new supernatural level as the resilient teenagers now have extraordinary challenges to face. What’s more you ask? Well, Teen Wolf will be welcoming a new supernatural character and it’s said that this paranormal creature will huff and puff and blow Beacon Hills away with one giant roar.

What is this new entity added to the acclaimed series? Well, it’s a “werejaguar,” and it’s played be the one and only Jill Wagner.

Get set for an action packed series and emotional connect between the supernatural and humans.

Join the pack in their redefining phase with the new Alpha on 27 June at 11 PM only on AXN India

June 27, 2014
BBC Worldwide signs a deal with AXN India

MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide in India today announced a deal with AXN India providing the broadcaster with more than 60 hours of BBC’s factual entertainment and drama programmes. Titles comprise of four series of Top Gear, two series of Orphan Black and three series Sherlock. The deal includes the presale of Top Gear (series 21 & 22), Orphan Black (series two), and Sherlock (series three). All programmes will be seen exclusively on AXN India throughout India and its subcontinent.

BBC Worldwide Asia, SVP and GM and content lead Myleeta Aga commented: “This new acquisition by AXN is the largest we’ve had with the broadcaster to date. I’m very excited that viewers in India will now have access to some of the most popular and high quality drama and factual entertainment programmes that have come from BBC in the past year or so. Top Gear is the world’s largest and most popular motoring programme and is the ‘most watched factual programme’ in the world, according to the Guinness World Records. Sherlock has won multiple awards and catapulted its stars Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) and Martin Freeman (Watson) to international stardom. The first series of Orphan Black has received critical acclaim, won a number of accolades and has made a break-out star of Tatiana Maslany.”

Talking about their association with BBC Worldwide, AXN India programming head Arpit Mankar, said: “We are very happy to extend our relationship with BBC. The first of our BBC acquired programmes, Sherlock (series one) will premiere on AXN India on 4 November on the Mon-Thu 9.30 pm time band. We are confident that the series will be well received by our audiences; so much so that we’ve already ordered Sherlock series three even while it’s in production. Top Gear has innumerable fans in India and we are happy to now be the home of the latest series of Top Gear in India. Orphan Black has received such great reviews that we’ve acquired both series’ – even though series two is still being shot. The thriller is bound to take viewers by surprise!”

Top Gear (series 20) started airing in mid October every Friday 9 pm while Sherlock (series one) will launch on November 4. Orphan Black is set to premiere first and exclusively on AXN this December.

October 30, 2013